The sporting goods chain that sold Sutherland Springs shooter Devin Kelley his firearm argues that it is not responsible for the death and injury he caused, according to a new court filing.

Lawyers for Academy Sports + Outdoors admit Kelley purchased the Ruger AR-556 and a high-capacity magazine he used in the November massacre at one of their client's stores in San Antonio. But in a response to a lawsuit filed by two people wounded in the shooting, the company denies allegations it broke state law by making the sale.

"The tragic deaths, horrific injuries, and devastating losses suffered by the victims of the Sutherland Springs shooting cannot be overstated," Academy wrote in its response Friday to a lawsuit Rosanne Solis and Joaquin Ramirez filed in August. "But Academy is simply not responsible for the actions of Mr. Kelley."

While the outcome of the lawsuit will apply only to these two victims and Academy, it could have much broader effects. If the court sides with Solis and Ramirez, it could redefine state and federal gun sale and purchase laws. If it sides with the sporting goods company, the court could redefine the limits of shooting victims' civil lawsuits.

Academy says it's not responsible for multiple reasons. First, the store's employees ran a criminal background check on Kelley, according to the law, which he passed. Second, federal law barring residents of one state to sell to residents from another (Kelley presented a Colorado identification card) doesn't apply if the sale is made in person.

And third, the sporting goods store argues that the law defines "firearm" and "magazine" as separate things. Colorado bans the sale of magazines with capacities over 15 rounds. But Academy denies the lawsuit's allegations that it broke that state's law in selling a high-capacity magazine to one of its residents.

"The Colorado law in question does not apply to sales outside of Colorado," Academy wrote. "And federal law does not change that. To the contrary, federal law required Academy to meet the legal conditions for sale of the 'firearm' in Colorado. The statutory definition of 'firearm' does not include magazines."

Joaquin Ramirez checks on the gunshot wound on Rosanne Solis' left arm at their home in Sutherland Springs. Ramirez and Solis have accused Academy Sports + Outdoors of negligence for selling the shooter his firearm and high-capacity magazine.

(Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)

Rosanne Solis, who was injured on Nov. 5 when a gunman wearing a skull-face mask opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs is pictured at home home on Nov. 7, 2017. Solis has accused Academy Sports + Outdoors of negligence for selling the shooter his firearm and high-capacity magazine.

(Todd Heisler/The New York Times)

Irene and Kenneth Hernandez and their daughter Miranda Hernandez say a prayer on Nov. 6, 2017, in front of some of the 26 crosses placed in a field in Sutherland Springs, Texas to honor those who were killed when a gunman opened fire at a Baptist church in the small town southeast of San Antonio.

(Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer)

The investigation continues at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on Nov. 6, 2017. At least 26 people died when a gunman opened fire at a Baptist church in the small town southeast of San Antonio.

(Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer)

Stanley Bernstein, the victims' lawyer, said any weapon — which would include a firearm and its magazine — must be legal in both states if a Texas retailer wants to sell to an out-of-state resident.

"Could this exact weapon be sold in Texas and in Colorado? We do not believe the actual Ruger AR-556 that was sold to the shooter in Texas could be sold in Colorado," Bernstein told The Dallas Morning News. "Academy should never have sold the shooter the weapon used in the Sutherland Springs shooting."

The Ruger AR-556 can accommodate smaller magazines, according to the Ruger website, which sells different models of weapon with capacities of 10 rounds.

On Nov. 5, 2017, Kelley killed 26 people, including a pregnant woman, who had gathered at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs for Sunday services. In the days after the shooting, Solis and Ramirez said Kelley appeared to target babies and young children during his rampage and at one point yelled, "Everybody is going to [expletive] die!"

Solis and Ramirez were both shot. They've accused Academy of gross negligence and seek damages of more than $1 million each for physical and mental anguish, disfigurement and medical expenses.